U.S. patent application number 12/295105 was filed with the patent office on 2009-07-09 for network device, network system, ipv6 address assigning method, and network device managing method.
This patent application is currently assigned to MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Mototsugu Shiraiwa, Harumine Yoshiba.
Application Number | 20090177762 12/295105 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38624881 |
Filed Date | 2009-07-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090177762 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shiraiwa; Mototsugu ; et
al. |
July 9, 2009 |
NETWORK DEVICE, NETWORK SYSTEM, IPv6 ADDRESS ASSIGNING METHOD, AND
NETWORK DEVICE MANAGING METHOD
Abstract
To explicitly identify network devices without providing a
database server using an IPv6 address. An IPv6 address for address
management on a network is set in a network device connected to an
IPv6 network and the network device keeps and maintains the
address. An interface ID 12 of the IPv6 address is composed of a
maker ID 13, a management ID 14, a device ID 15, and a function ID
16. Maker information kept and maintained by a maker of the network
device is assigned to the maker ID 13 and a number indicating
management by a device type is assigned as a number indicating a
management system type to a device the management ID 14. The device
ID 15 has numbers indicating a device type 17, a product type 18,
and a product serial number 19. A number indicating a function of
the network device is assigned to the function ID 16.
Inventors: |
Shiraiwa; Mototsugu;
(Kanagawa, JP) ; Yoshiba; Harumine; (Kanagawa,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PEARNE & GORDON LLP
1801 EAST 9TH STREET, SUITE 1200
CLEVELAND
OH
44114-3108
US
|
Assignee: |
MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO.,
LTD.
Osaka
JP
|
Family ID: |
38624881 |
Appl. No.: |
12/295105 |
Filed: |
March 29, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
March 29, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2007/056981 |
371 Date: |
September 29, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
709/220 ;
370/254; 370/401 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 61/35 20130101;
H04L 61/6004 20130101; H04L 61/6059 20130101; H04L 29/12915
20130101; H04L 61/2092 20130101; H04L 29/12801 20130101; H04L
29/1232 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
709/220 ;
370/254; 370/401 |
International
Class: |
G06F 15/173 20060101
G06F015/173; H04L 12/28 20060101 H04L012/28; H04L 12/56 20060101
H04L012/56 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 12, 2006 |
JP |
2006-109701 |
Claims
1. A network device which performs address management on a network
on the basis of IPv6 and is connected to the network using an IPv6
address, wherein the network device has the IPv6 address assigned
so as to contain a number indicating a management system type of a
device and a maker ID which is a number indicating a manufacturer
of a MAC address held by a network device maker in a part of an
interface ID of the IPv6 address, the manufacturer being
administrated by the IEEE; wherein the network device has as the
IPv6 address a first IPv6 address which contains a number
indicating device type information on the device in apart of the
interface ID and a second IPv6 address which contains a number
indicating location information on the device in a part of the
interface ID; wherein when a control to a controlled device is
performed by using the device type information an IPv6 packet is
generated and transferred to the controlled device, the IPv6 packet
including control information and address information which has the
IPv6 address on the device and the first IPv6 address on the
controlled device; wherein when the control to the controlled
device is performed by using the location information, an IPv6
packet is generated and transferred to the controlled device, the
IPv6 packet including the control information and address
information which has the IPv6 address on the device and the second
IPv6 address on the controlled device; and wherein the controlled
device which receives the IPv6 packet is operated on the basis of
the control information.
2-13. (canceled)
14. A network device managing method on a network device having an
IPv6 address for performing address management on a network on the
basis of IPv6, the method comprising: assigning the IPv6 address so
as to contain a number indicating a management system type of a
device and a maker ID which is a number indicating a manufacturer
of a MAC address held by a network device maker in a part of an
interface ID of the IPv6 address set in association with every
target device, the manufacturer being administrated by the IEEE,
wherein the network device has as the IPv6 address a first IPv6
address which contains a number indicating device type information
on the device in a part of the interface ID and a second IPv6
address which contains a number indicating location information on
the device in a part of the interface ID; wherein when a control to
a controlled device is performed by using the device type
information, an IPv6 packet is generated and transferred to the
controlled device, the IPv6 packet including control information
and address information which has the IPv6 address on the device
and the first IPv6 address on the controlled device; wherein when
the control to the controlled device is performed by using the
location information an IPv6 packet is generated and transferred to
the controlled device, the IPv6 packet including the control
information and address information which has the IPv6 address on
the device and the second IPv6 address on the controlled device;
and wherein the controlled device which receives the IPv6 packet is
operated on the basis of the control information.
15-26. (canceled)
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a network device and a
network system performing address management on a network on the
basis of IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) which is a
communication protocol for general use on the Internet, and
connected to the network using an IPv6 address and to an IPv6
address assigning method and a network device managing method.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In a network on the basis of IPv6, an IPv6 address which is
assigned to a network device connected to the network is 128 bits
long. Of them, the first-half 64 bits are allocated to a network
prefix included in RA (Router Advertisement) from a router. The
second-half 64 bits are allocated to an EUI-64 format interface ID
as a 64-bit identifier decided by the IEEE.
[0003] In the EUI-64 format interface ID, an MAC address is
encapsulated. In 64 bits of the entire interface ID, the former 24
bits are allocated to a number indicating a manufacturer
administrated by the IEEE, the next 16 bits are allocated to
"FFFE", and the latter 24 bits are allocated to an expanded
identification number managed by a manufacturer.
[0004] The IPv6 address allocated in this manner ensures uniqueness
in that the MAC address encapsulated in the interface ID is not
overlapped and a unique number.
[0005] When a network device (control device) to which the IPv6
address is assigned controls another network device (controlled
device), identification information of the controlled. device
managed by a database server on a network is referred to control
access to the controlled device on the basis of the identification
information of the controlled device.
[0006] In an IPv6 network system disclosed in Patent Document 1,
filtering or high-level services in an IP packet transfer is
functionally limited in accordance with a value of an interface ID
contained in an IPv6 address of a device connected to a network.
Accordingly, security is improved. Moreover, information indicating
communication contents or a device attribute is contained in the
interface ID, thereby performing communication control
corresponding to the relevant attribute.
[0007] Patent Document 1: JP-A-2004-289782
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
Problem that the Invention is to Solve
[0008] However, the known method of managing an IPv6 address on the
IPv6 network has a problem described below.
[0009] in each of the IPv6 addresses, the MAC address is decided by
a network device maker at the time of device manufacture with a
rule by which it is difficult to recognize network devices. For
that reason, when access to the network devices is controlled by
the IPv6 addresses on the basis of the identification information
of the controlled device, a database server storing the
identification information of all the network devices connected to
the network has to be used. Moreover, there occurs a problem in
that flexible IPv6 addresses cannot be assigned to the network
devices.
[0010] On a network device side, it is necessary to provide a
structure for registering the identification information of the
devices in the database along with the IPv6 addresses.
[0011] When a password for a network administrator who can
administer all functions of a network device is leaked to a general
access user who can use only partial functions without distinction
by the IPv6address, there occurs a problem with security in that a
person who is not the network administrator can operate the network
device.
[0012] The invention is devised in view of the above-described
circumstances and an object of the invention is to provide a
network device and a network system capable of explicitly
identifying network devices without providing a database server
having an IPv6 address, and provide an IPv6 address assigning
method and a network device managing method.
[0013] Another object of the invention is to provide a network
device and a network system capable of constructing a high secure
network and provide an IPv6 address assigning method and a network
device managing method, since the network device as an access
target can be managed in accordance with a management system of the
network device such as a device type, a function, and a
function.
Means for Solving the Problem
[0014] The prevention includes configurations described below.
[0015] (1) There is provided a network device which performs
address management on a network on the basis of IPv6 and is
connected to the network using an IPv6 address. The network device
has the IPv6 address assigned so as to contain a number indicating
a management system type of a device in a part of an interface ID
of the IPv6 address.
[0016] With such a configuration, it is possible to uniquely
identify the network device with reference to the IPv6 address
without providing a database server having the Ipv6 address, since
each device on the network can explicitly identifies a target
network device on the basis of the management system of the device
using the number indicating the management system type of the
interface ID in the IPv6 address. For example, device type
information is used in a case where the management system type is a
device type and location information is used in a case where the
management system type is a location. Accordingly, a communication
protocol in an application layer can be simplified, since it is not
necessary to transmit and receive information with the database
server in order to identify the network device.
[0017] (2) There is provided the network device according to (1),
in which the IPv6 address further contains a number indicating
device type information on the device in a part of the interface
ID. With such a configuration, it is possible to explicitly
identify the target network device with reference to the IPv6
address on the basis of the number indicating the device type
information of the interface ID in the IPv6 address. Moreover, a
high secure network can be constructed, since the network device as
an access target can be managed in accordance with the management
system of the network device using the device type information.
[0018] (3) There is provided the network device according to (2),
in which the IPv6 address further contains a number indicating
function information on the device in a part of the interface ID.
With such a configuration, it is possible to explicitly identify
the target network device with reference to the IPv6 address on the
basis of the number indicating the device type information and the
number indicating the function information of the interface ID in
the IPv6 address. Moreover, the high secure network can be
constructed, since a control authority or the like can be set in
every function and the network device as an access target can be
managed in accordance with the management system of the network
device using the function information.
[0019] (4) There is provided the network device according to (1),
in which the IPv6 address further contains a number indicating
location information on the device in a part of the interface ID.
With such a configuration, it is possible to explicitly identify
the target network device with reference to the IPv6 address on the
basis of the number indicating the location information of the
interface ID in the IPv6 address. Moreover, the high secure network
can be constructed, since the network device as an access target
can be managed in accordance with the management system of the
network device using the location information.
[0020] (5) There is provided the network device according to (4),
in which the IPv6 address further contains a number indicating
function information on the device in a part of the interface ID.
With such a configuration, it is possible to explicitly identify
the target network device with reference to the IPv6 address on the
basis of the number indicating the location information and the
number indicating the function information of the interface ID in
the IPv6 address. Moreover, the high secure-network can be
constructed, since the control authority or the like can be set in
every function and the network device as an access target can be
managed in accordance with the management system of the network
device using the function information.
[0021] (6) There is provided the network device according to (1),
which has as the IPv6 address a plurality of IPv6 addresses having
the interface IDs different from each other. With such a
configuration, the plurality of IPv6 addresses can individually
used in accordance with a control-side circumstance. Accordingly,
it is possible to perform access, control, and the like with
reference to the IPv6 address which is the most optimum management
system in the network devices.
[0022] (7) There is provided the network device according to (6),
which has as the IPv6 address a first IPv6 address which contains a
number indicating device type information on the device in a part
of the interface ID and a second IPv6 address which contains a
number indicating location information on the device in a part of
the interface ID. With such a configuration, the IPv6 address using
the device type information and the IPv6 address using the location
information can individually used in accordance with the
control-side circumstance. Accordingly, it is possible to perform
access, control, and the like with reference to the IPv6 address
which is the most optimum management system in the network
devices.
[0023] (8) There is provided a network system which includes the
network device according to (2) and performs at least one of access
and control by permitting inter-device communication using the
number indicating the device type information in the interface ID.
With such a configuration, it is possible to simplify a
communication protocol such as a Web access protocol by using the
IPv6 address containing the number indicating the device type
information when access, control, and the like are performed on the
target network device.
[0024] (9) There is provided a network system which includes the
network device according to (3) and performs at least one of access
and control by permitting inter-device communication using the
number indicating the device type information and the number
indicating the function information in the interface ID. With such
a configuration, it is possible to perform controlling every
function by using the IPv6 address containing the number indicating
the function information when access, control, and the like are
performed on the target network device.
[0025] (10) There is provided a network system which includes the
network device according to (3) and which controls communication
using the number indicating the device type information and the
number indicating the function information in the interface ID, so
that VPN is constructed by IPsec. With such a configuration, it is
possible to construct the high secure network, since the network
device as the access target can be managed on the basis of the
device type and the function by using the IPv6 address containing
the device type information and the function information.
[0026] (11) There is provided a network system which includes the
network device according to (4) and performs at least one of access
and control by permitting inter-device communication using the
number indicating the location information in the interface ID.
With such a configuration, it is possible to simplify a
communication protocol such as the Web access protocol by using the
IPv6 address containing the number indicating the location
information when access, control, and the like are performed on the
target network device.
[0027] (12) There is provided a network system which includes the
network device according to (5) and performs at least one of access
and control by permitting inter-device communication using the
number indicating the location information and the number
indicating the function information in the interface ID. With such
a configuration, it is possible to perform the controlling on every
function by using the IPv6 address containing the number indicating
the function information when access, control, and the like are
performed on the target network device.
[0028] (13) There is provided a network system which includes the
network device according to (5) and which controls communication
using the number indicating the location information and the number
indicating the function information in the interface ID, so that
VPN is constructed by IPsec. With such a configuration, it is
possible to construct the high secure network, since the network
device as the access target can be managed on the basis of the
location and the function by using the IPv6 address containing the
location information and the function information.
[0029] (14) There is provided a method of assigning an IPv6 address
to a network device which performs address management on a network
on the basis of IPv6. The method includes assigning the IPv6
address so as to contain a number indicating a management system
type of a device in a part of an interface ID of the IPv6 address
set in association with every target device.
[0030] With such a configuration, it is possible to uniquely
identify the network device with reference to the IPv6 address
without providing a database server having the Ipv6 address, since
each device on the network can explicitly identifies a target
network device on the basis of the management system of the device
using the number indicating the management system type of the
interface ID in the IPv6 address. For example, the device type
information is used in a case where the management system type is
the device type and location information is used in a case where
the management system type is the location. Accordingly, a
communication protocol in an application layer can be simplified,
since it is not necessary to transmit and receive information with
the database server in order to identify the network device.
[0031] (15) There is provided the IPv6 address assigning method
according to (14), in which the IPv6 address further includes a
number indicating device type information on the device for
specifying the device in a part of the interface ID. With such a
configuration, it is possible to explicitly identify the target
network device with reference to the IPv6 address on. the basis of
the number indicating the device type information of the interface
ID in the IPv6 address. Moreover, a high secure network can be
constructed, since the network device as an access target can be
managed in accordance with the management system of the network
device using the device type information.
[0032] (16) There is provided the IPv6 address assigning method
according to (15), in which the IPv6 address further contains a
number indicating function information on the device belonging to
the device in a part of the interface ID. With such a
configuration, it is possible to explicitly identify the target
network device with reference to the IPv6 address on the basis of
the number indicating the device type information and the number
indicating the function information of the interface ID in the IPv6
address. Moreover, the high secure network can be constructed,
since a control authority or the like can be set in every function
and the network device as an access target can be managed in
accordance with the management system of the network device using
the function information.
[0033] (17) There is provided the IPv6 address assigning method
according to (14), in which the IPv6 address further contains a
number indicating location information on the device for specifying
the device in a part of the interface ID. With such a
configuration, it is possible to explicitly identify the target
network device with reference to the IPv6 address on the basis of
the number indicating the location information of the interface ID
in the IPv6 address. Moreover, the high secure network can be
constructed, since the network device as an access target can be
managed in accordance with the management system of the network
device using the location information.
[0034] (18) There is provided the IPv6 address assigning method
according to (17), in which the OPv6 address further contains a
number indicating function information on the device in a part of
the interface ID. With such a configuration, it is possible to
explicitly identify the target network device with reference to the
IPv6 address on the basis of the number indicating the location
information and the number indicating the function information of
the interface ID in the IPv6 address. Moreover, the high secure
network can be constructed, since the control authority or the like
can be set in every function and the network device as an access
target can be managed in accordance with the management system of
the network device using the function information.
[0035] (19) There is provided the IPv6 address assigning method
according to (14), in which as the IPv6 address a plurality of IPv6
addresses having the interface IDs different from each other are
assigned to one network device. With such a configuration, the
plurality of IPv6 addresses can individually used in accordance
with a control-side circumstance. Accordingly, it is possible to
perform access, control, and the like with reference to the IPv6
address which is the most optimum management system in the network
devices.
[0036] (20) There is provided the IPv6 address assigning method
according to (19), in which as the IPv6 address a first IPv6
address which contains a number indicating device type information
on the device in a part of the interface ID and a second IPv6
address which contains a number indicating location information on
the device in a part of the interface ID are assigned to one
network device. With such a configuration, the IPv6 address using
the device type information and the IPv6 address using the location
information can individually used in accordance with the
control-side circumstance. Accordingly, it is possible to perform
access, control, and the like with reference to the IPv6 address
which is the most optimum management system in the network
devices.
[0037] (21) There is provided a network device managing method
including communicating with a network device having the IPv6
address according to (2) using the number indicating the device
type information in the interface ID to perform at least one of
access and control. With such a configuration, it is possible to
simplify a communication protocol such as the Web access protocol
by using the IPv6 address containing the number indicating the
device type information when access, control, and the like are
performed on the target network device.
[0038] (22) There is provided a network device managing method
including communicating with a network device having the IPv6
address according to (3) using the number indicating the device
type information and the number indicating the function information
in the interface ID to perform at least one of access and control.
With such a configuration, it is possible to perform controlling
every function by using the IPv6 address containing the number
indicating the function information when access, control, and the
like are performed on the target network device.
[0039] (23) There is provided a network device managing method
including controlling communication with a network device having
the IPv6 address according to (3) using the number indicating the
device type information and the number indicating the function
information in the interface ID, so that VPN is constructed by
IPsec. With such a configuration, it is possible to construct the
high secure network, since the network device as the access target
can be managed on the basis of the device type and the function by
using the IPv6 address containing the device type information and
the function information.
[0040] (24) There is provided a network device managing method
including communicating with a network device having the IPv6
address according to (4) using the number indicating the location
information in the interface ID to perform at least one of access
and control. With such a configuration, it is possible to simplify
a communication protocol such as the Web access protocol by using
the IPv6 address containing the number indicating the location
information when access, control, and the like are performed on the
target network device.
[0041] (25) There is provided a network device managing method
including communicating with a network device having the IPv6
address according to (5) using the number indicating the location
information and the number indicating the function information in
the interface ID to perform at least one of access and control.
With such a configuration, it is possible to perform the
controlling on every function by using the IPv6 address containing
the number indicating the function information when access,
control, and the like are performed on the target network
device.
[0042] (26) There is provided a network device managing method
including controlling communication with a network device having
the IPv6 address according to (5) using the number indicating the
location information and the number indicating the function
information in the interface ID, so that VPN is constructed by
IPsec. With such a configuration, it is possible to construct the
high secure network, since the network device as the access target
can be managed on the basis of the location and the function by
using the IPv6 address containing the location information and the
function information.
Advantage of the Invention
[0043] According to the invention, there is provided a network
device, a network system, an IPv6 address assigning method, and a
network device managing method capable of explicitly identifying
the network devices without providing a database server having an
IPv6 address.
[0044] According to the invention, there is provided the network
device, the network system, the IPv6 address assigning method, and
the network device managing method capable of constructing high
secure network, since the network device as an access target can be
managed in accordance with a management system of the network
device such as a device type, a function, and a location.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0045] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of
an IPv6 network system according to embodiments of the
invention.
[0046] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a structure of IPv6
addresses assigned to network devices according to a first
embodiment.
[0047] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of setting items
of a device type, a product type, and a product serial number when
"1" indicating management by the device type is set in a management
ID.
[0048] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of setting items
of a function ID when a number indicating a network camera is set
in the device type.
[0049] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an operation sequence when
a control terminal controls a camera according to the first
embodiment.
[0050] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a concept at the time of
network communication using the IPv6 address according to the first
embodiment.
[0051] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a structure of IPv6
addresses assigned to network devices according to a second
embodiment.
[0052] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of setting items
of a location name type, location information, and a device number
when a number indicating management by the installed place is set
in the management ID.
[0053] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a first example of details
set in an interface ID according to the second embodiment.
[0054] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the
installed place of the network device which is specified by the
IPv6 address of the first example shown in FIG. 9.
[0055] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a second example of
details set in the interface ID according to the second
embodiment.
[0056] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the
installed place of the network device which is specified by the
IPv6 address of the second example shown in FIG. 11.
[0057] FIGS. 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating an example of bit
arrangement of the interface ID upon performing masking by the
function ID.
[0058] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a concept at the time of
network communication using the IPv6 address according to a third
embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS AND SIGNS
[0059] 1: MAINTENANCE TERMINAL
[0060] 2: CONTROL TERMINAL
[0061] 3, 4: DISPLAY TERMINAL
[0062] 5, 7: ROUTER
[0063] 6: NETWORK
[0064] 8, 9: CAMERA
[0065] 12: INTERFACE ID
[0066] 14: MANAGEMENT ID
[0067] 15: DEVICE ID
[0068] 16: FUNCTION ID
[0069] 17: DEVICE TYPE
[0070] 18: PRODUCT TYPE
[0071] 19: PRODUCT SERIAL NUMBER
[0072] 25: LOCATION ID
[0073] 27: LOCATION NAME TYPE
[0074] 28: LOCATION INFORMATION
[0075] 29: DEVICE NUMBER
[0076] 31, 32, 33: ADDRESS STORAGE/MAINTENANCE UNIT
[0077] 41, 42, 43, 61, 62, 63: IPV6 ADDRESS
[0078] 51, 52: IPv6 PACKET
PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
First Embodiment
[0079] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of
an IPv6 network system according to embodiments of the
invention.
[0080] According to the embodiment, the IPv6 network system has a
configuration in which a maintenance terminal 1, a control terminal
2, and display terminals 3 and 4 are connected to a network 6 such
as the Internet capable of employing IPv6 through a router 5, and
cameras 8 and 9 are connected to the network 6 through a router 7.
Here, the maintenance terminal 1, the control terminal 2, the
display terminals 3 and 4, the routers 5 and 7, and the cameras 8
and 9 are network devices which are connected to the IPv6 network
and to which IPv6 addresses are assigned. The network devices are
configured to manage addresses on the IPv6 network using IPv6
addresses and carry out communication, access control, and the like
between the network devices.
[0081] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a structure of the IPv6
addresses assigned to the network devices according to a first
embodiment.
[0082] The IPv6 addresses has 128 bits long, and is composed of a
first-half 64-bit network prefix 11 and a second-half 64-bit
interface ID 12. In the first embodiment, the interface ID 12 has a
maker ID 13, a management ID 14, a device ID 15, and a function ID
16. The management ID 14 corresponds to an example of a number
indicating a management system type, the device ID 15 corresponds
to an example of a number indicating device type information, and
the function ID 16 corresponds to an example of a number indicating
function information. When an IPv6 network system is constructed,
the IPv6 addresses are set in every connected network device and
memorized in the device or other devices to be used for network
communication.
[0083] In the IPv6 network system, access to the camera 8 is
permitted to perform various types of control by transmitting an
IPv6 packet containing control information from the control device
2 to the camera 8, when the camera 8 is controlled by the control
terminal 2, for example. The IPv6 packet includes a source IPv6
address indicating a source network device and a destination IPv6
address indicating a destination network device.
[0084] The former 24 bits of each MAC address held by network
device makers are assigned to the maker ID 13 of the 64-bit
interface ID 12. 4 bits indicating the management system type of a
device are assigned to the management ID 14. In the first
embodiment, information indicating the management by a device type
is configured so as to be contained as the management system type.
6 bits indicating a device type 17, 6 bits indicating a product
type 18, 20 bits indicating a product serial number 19 are assigned
to the device ID 15. 4 bits indicating function of the network
device is assigned to the function ID 16.
[0085] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of setting items
of the device type, the product type, and the product serial number
when "1" indicating management by the device type is set in the
management ID 14.
[0086] In the management ID 14, "1" indicating the management by
the device type, "2" indicating management by an installed place,
and the like can be set. In the first embodiment, "1" indicating
the management by the device type is set.
[0087] When "1" indicating the management by the device type is set
in the management ID 14, "1" indicating a router, "2" indicating a
network camera, "3" indicating a digital complex machine, "4"
indicating a control terminal, "5" indicating a display terminal,
"6" indicating a record terminal, "7" indicating an encoder or a
decoder, "8" indicating a sensor terminal, and the like can be set
in the device type 17. When "2" indicating a network camera is set
in the device type 17, "1" indicating
".largecircle..largecircle..largecircle.", "2" indicating "xxx",
"3" indicating ".DELTA..DELTA..DELTA.", and the like can be set in
the product type 18. When "1" indicating
".largecircle..largecircle..largecircle." is set in the product
type 18, "1", "2", "3", and the like indicating respective devices
can be set in the product serial number 19.
[0088] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of setting items
of the function ID 16 when "2" indicating a network camera is set
in the device type 17. In the function ID 16, "1" indicating motion
control (power, pan, tilt, and zoom), "2" indicating maintenance
control (firmware update, etc.), "3" indicating
transmission/reception of video data, and the like can be set.
[0089] Here, operations of the IPv6 network system according to the
first embodiment will be described. For example, when the control
terminal 2 controls the camera 8, the source IPv6 address contained
in the IPv6 packet transmitted from the control terminal 2 to the
camera 8 is an IPv6 address of the control terminal 2 and the
destination IPv6 address is an IPv6 address of the camera 8. The
controlling of the camera 8 is performed by a Web access protocol
such as HTTP, which is an upper-level service contained in the IPv6
packet, and the management ID 14, the device ID 15, and the
function ID 16 assigned in the interface ID 12 of the IPv6 address
of the camera 8, which is the destination IPv6 address.
[0090] That is, camera 8 recognizes the controlling as the
management by the device type from the management ID 14 on the
basis of the received IPv6 packet, recognizes the controlling as
the control for the camera 8 itself from the device ID 15, and
recognizes control details (control details by the upper-level
service) from the function ID 16. On the other hand, the control
terminal 2 appends information to the IPv6 packet to be transmitted
and specifies the camera 8 using the device type 17, the product
type 18, and the product serial number 19 contained in the device
ID 15.
[0091] Specifically, when it is known in advance that the device
type 17 of the camera 8 is a video camera (network camera), the
product type 18 is .largecircle..largecircle..largecircle.
(specific product number), and the product serial number 19 is the
number 1, the control terminal 2 specifies the camera 8 using the
information of "the number 1 of a video camera
.largecircle..largecircle..largecircle.". In this case, the product
serial number 19 may not necessarily be a serial number allocated
in manufacture by a network device maker, but may be a number or
the like allocated in a sequence of inputting in a system, for
example, as long as not overlapped.
[0092] In the IPv6 network system according to the first
embodiment, the above description shows an example of the
operations of the network device to which the IPv6 address is
assigned. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an operation sequence
when the control terminal 2 controls the camera 8.
[0093] First, the control terminal 2 transmits the IPv6 packet for
controlling the camera 8 (T1). In this case, the source IPv6
address contained in a header of the transmitted IPv6 packet is the
IPv6 address of the control terminal 2, and the destination IPv6
address is the IPv6 address of the camera 8. Detailed information
used to control the camera 8 by an upper-level service is contained
in application data.
[0094] When receiving the above-described IPv6 packet through the
IPv6 network (T2), the camera 8 analyzes the IPv6 packet (T3). The
source IPv6 address is recognized to be the address of the control
terminal 2 from the analysis result. When the parts other than the
function ID 16 (the maker ID 13, the management ID 14, and the
device ID 15) in the destination IPv6 address accord with those of
the own IPv6 address, it is recognized as the IPv6 packet to be
transmitted to itself (T4). Subsequently, a control process defined
by the function ID 16 contained in the IPv6 packet is performed
(T5).
[0095] Specifically, for example, when the camera 8 is fanned
"rightward by 10.degree.", the function ID 16 is an ID indicating
"motion control" of the camera. Actually, the motion of the
"rightward by 10.degree." is controlled by the Web access protocol
or the like such as the HTTP as the upper-level service, which is
contained in the application data.
[0096] When the display terminal 3 controls the camera 8, the
source IPv6 address contained in the IPv6 packet transmitted from
the display terminal 3 to the camera 8 is the IPv6 address of the
display terminal 3, and the destination IPv6 address is the IPv6
address of the camera 8. The controlling of the camera 8 is
performed by the Web access protocol such as the HTTP, which is the
upper-level service contained in the IPv6 packet, and the
management ID 14, the device ID 15, and the function ID 16 assigned
in the interface ID 12 of the IPv6 address of the camera 8, which
is the destination IPv6 address.
[0097] For example, the function ID 16 is an ID indicating "video
data transmission/reception" for the camera 8, when the display
terminal 3 "demands transmission of image data" of the camera 8.
Actually, the operations of the "demand for the transmission of the
image data"and the "transmitting of the image data" are performed
by the Web access protocol such as the HTTP, which is the
upper-level service, contained in the application data or a
streaming protocol such as RTP.
[0098] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a concept at the time of
network communication using the IPv6 address according to the first
embodiment. In this case, the control terminal 2 controls the
camera 8.
[0099] The network devices such as the control terminal 2 and the
camera 8 connected to each other through the network 6 include
address maintenance units 31 and 32 maintaining the IPv6 addresses
set and assigned to the respective devices, respectively. The
address maintenance unit 31 of the control terminal 2 keeps and
maintains an IPv6 address 41 containing device type information of
the own terminal. The address maintenance unit 32 of the camera 8
keeps and maintains an IPv6 address 42 containing device type
information of the own terminal.
[0100] When the control terminal 2 controls the camera 8, a control
unit of the control terminal 2 creates and transmits an IPv6 packet
51 containing address information which includes the IPv6 address
41 of the control terminal 2 as a source (control device) and the
IPv6 address 42 of the camera 8 as a destination (controlled
device) and control information. The IPv6 packet 51 is transmitted
to the camera 8 through a communication path on the network 6. A
control unit of the camera 8 analyzes the received IPv6 packet 51
and recognizes that the IPv6 packet is a packet for the own
terminal transmitted from the control terminal 2 by the address
information of the IPv6 addresses 41 and 42 to perform controlling
the own terminal on the basis of the control information.
[0101] Upon controlling the network device, controlling performed
by a device having no control authority can be excluded by adding
the source IPv6 address of a device performing controlling to the
control condition. Moreover, by using masking by the device ID, it
is possible to perform consistent controlling on a plurality of
target device such as all devices capable of "motion control", all
video cameras capable of "motion control", or all video cameras
.largecircle..largecircle..largecircle. (restraining a product)
capable of "motion control".
[0102] By permitting the router 7 to have an IPsec (Internet
Protocol Security) function and performing the consistent
controlling, it is possible to construct a secure VPN (Virtual
Private Network) environment in all video cameras capable of
"maintenance control" by the control terminal 2 and update a
firmware, for example.
[0103] In this way, in a method of assigning the IPv6 addresses of
the IPv6 network system and the network devices in the first
embodiment, by allowing a bit field composed of the latter 40-bit
interface ID to contain the management ID, the device ID, and the
function ID, it is possible to realize a flexible address assigning
method of explicitly identifying the network devices by the device
type used as a device management system, while ensuring the unique
interface ID of the IPv6 address. In this way, it is possible to
identify the devices using the IPv6 addresses without employing a
database server. Accordingly, a communication protocol can be
simplified since a sequence for transmitting and receiving
information to and from the database server is not necessary in an
application layer.
[0104] It is possible to construct the VPN environment using the
IPsec and thus improve network security, since the access to the
network devices can be controlled using the device type, the
product type, the product serial number, or the function ID.
[0105] The bit number, the bit arrangement, and the bit location in
the management ID 14, the device ID 15, the function ID 16, the
device type 17, the product type 18, and the product serial number
19 shown in FIG. 2 are just an example, and thus optimized on the
basis of the size of a network, a system, a device, or the like, as
long as the interface ID is not overlapped in all the network
devices. For example, when the VPN environment is constructed using
the IPsec in all devices having the same function ID 16, the
function ID 16 may be located ahead of the device ID 15.
Second Embodiment
[0106] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a structure of an IPv6
address assigning to a network device according to a second
embodiment.
[0107] In an IPv6 network system according to the second
embodiment, an IPv6 address different from the IPv6 address
according to the first embodiment is assigned to a network device.
Since the configuration of the IPv6 network system is the same as
that in the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given
and the description is omitted.
[0108] The IPv6 address is 128 bits long and composed of a
first-half 64-bit network prefix 11 and a second-half 64-bit
interface ID 12. In the second embodiment, the interface ID 12 is
composed of a maker ID 13, a management ID 14, a location ID 25,
and a function ID 16. The management ID 14 corresponds to an
example of a number indicating a management system type, the
location ID 25 corresponds to an example of a number indicating
location information, and the function ID 16 corresponds to an
example of a number indicating function information. When an IPv6
network system is constructed, the IPv6 addresses are set in every
connected network device and memorized in the device or other
devices to be used for network communication.
[0109] The former 24 bits of each MAC address held by network
device makers are assigned to the maker ID 13 of the 64-bit
interface ID 12. 4 bits indicating the management system type of a
device are assigned to the management ID 14. In the second
embodiment, information indicating the management by an installed
place (location) is configured so as to be contained as the
management system type. 8 bits indicating a location name type 27,
20 bits indicating location information 28, 4 bits indicating a
device serial number 29 are assigned to the location ID 25. 4 bits
indicating function of the network device is assigned to the
function ID 16.
[0110] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of setting items
of the location name type, the location information, and the device
number when "2" indicating management by the installed place is set
in the management ID 14.
[0111] In the second embodiment, "2" indicating the management by
the installed place is set in the management ID 14. When "2"
indicating the management by the installed place is set in the
management ID 14, "1" indicating "a .largecircle..largecircle.
system", "2" indicating ".quadrature..quadrature. building", and
the like can be set in the location name type 27.
[0112] When "1" indicating "the .largecircle..largecircle. system"
is set in the location name type 27, latitude information "x"
indicating a latitude, longitude information "y" indicating a
longitude, and the like can be sent in the location information 28.
When the latitude information "x" indicating a latitude and the
longitude information "y" indicating a longitude can be sent in the
location information 28, "1", "2", "3", and the like indicating
respective devices are set in the device number 29. In addition,
when "2" indicating "the .quadrature..quadrature. building" is set
in the location name type 27, floor information ".DELTA. floor"
indicating a floor, division information "x division" indicating a
division in the floor, and the like can be set in the location
information 28. When the floor information ".DELTA. floor" and the
division information "x division" are set in the location
information 28, "1", "2", "3", and the like indicating respective
devices are set in the device number 29. Moreover, the same values
(see FIG. 4) as those in the first embodiment may be set in setting
items of the function ID 16.
[0113] Here, operations of the IPv6 network system according to the
second embodiment will be described. For example, when the control
terminal 2 controls the camera 8, the source IPv6 address contained
in the IPv6 packet transmitted from the control terminal 2 to the
camera 8 becomes an IPv6 address of the control terminal 2 and the
destination IPv6 address becomes an IPv6 address of the camera 8.
The controlling of the camera 8 is performed by a Web access
protocol such as HTTP, which is an upper-level service contained in
the IPv6 packet, and the management ID 14, the location ID 25, and
the function ID 16 assigned in the interface ID 12 of the IPv6
address of the camera 8, which is the destination IPv6 address.
[0114] That is, camera 8 recognizes the controlling as the
management by the installed place from the management ID 14 on the
basis of the received IPv6 packet, recognizes the controlling as
the control for the camera 8 itself from the location ID 25, and
recognizes control details (control details by the upper-level
service) from the function ID 16. On the other hand, the control
terminal 2 appends information to the IPv6 packet to be transmitted
and specifies the camera 8 using the location name type 27, the
location information 28, and the device number 29 contained in the
device ID 25.
[0115] Specifically, when it is known in advance that the location
name type 27 of the camera 8 is "the .quadrature..quadrature.
building", the location information is the x division (where x is
information of coordinates indicating a location) of the .DELTA.
floor, and the device number is 1, the control terminal 2 specifies
the camera 8 using the information of "the number 1 camera located
in the x division on the .DELTA. floor of the
.quadrature..quadrature. building".
[0116] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a first example of details
set in the interface ID according to the second embodiment. In the
first example, the floor information and the division information
are used as the location information. In this case, the management
ID 14 indicates management by the installed place, the location
name type 27 indicates the .quadrature..quadrature. building, the
floor information of the former 7 bits of the location information
28 indicates the .DELTA. floor, and the division information of the
latter 5 bits indicates the x division. In addition, the device
number 29 indicates the number 1 and the function ID 16 indicates
operation control.
[0117] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the
installed place of the network device in the
.quadrature..quadrature. building, which is specified by the IPv6
address of the first example shown in FIG. 9. As shown in FIG. 10,
the respective network devices are specified on the basis of the
location ID contained in the IPv6 address, when the respective
network devices having the device number 1, 2, and 3 are installed
in the x division on the A floor of the .quadrature..quadrature.
building.
[0118] As the location information, a unique number may be given to
every location name type. Latitude and longitude coordinate
information may be used as the location coordinates by GPS or the
like in a case of a location name where the network device is
configured in a limited outside division, for example. For example,
when each unit of the network device is installed in four
directions at a distance of 1 m at the division in four directions
at a distance of 1 km, the network devices can be individually
recognized by assigning 10 bits to the latitude information and the
longitude information.
[0119] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a second example of
details set in the interface ID according to the second embodiment.
In the second example, the latitude information and the longitude
information are used as the location information. In this case, the
management ID 14 indicates the management by the installed place,
the location name type 27 indicates the .largecircle..largecircle.
system, the former 10-bit latitude information of the location
information 28 indicates the latitude y, and the latter 10-bit
longitude information indicates the longitude x. In addition, the
device number 29 indicates the number 1 and the function ID 16
indicates the operation control.
[0120] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the
installed place of the network device in the
.largecircle..largecircle. system which is specified by the IPv6
address of the second example shown in FIG. 11. As shown in FIG.
12, the network devices are each specified on the basis of each
location ID contained in the IPv6 address, when the network devices
of the device numbers 1, 2, and 3 are installed at the division in
the four direction at the distance 1 km which lies at a reference
point of the latitude y and the longitude x in the
.largecircle..largecircle. system.
[0121] In a case of the location name where one unit or less of the
network device is installed globally in four directions at a
distance of 30 km, the network device can be uniquely identified by
assigning 15 bits to the longitude information and 14 bits to the
latitude information.
[0122] In the IPv6 network system according to the second
embodiment, operations of the network device to which the above
IPv6 address is assigned is the same as those in the first
embodiment described above (see FIG. 5).
[0123] First, the control terminal 2 transmits the IPv6 packet for
controlling the camera 8 (T1). In this case, the source IPv6
address contained in a header of the transmitted IPv6 packet is the
IPv6 address of the control terminal 2, and the destination IPv6
address is the IPv6 address of the camera 8. Detailed information
used to control the camera 8 by an upper-level service is contained
in application data.
[0124] When receiving the above-described IPv6 packet through the
IPv6 network (T2), the camera 8 analyzes the IPv6 packet (T3). The
source IPv6 address is recognized to be the address of the control
terminal 2 from the analysis result. When the parts other than the
function ID 16 (the maker ID 13, the management ID 14, and the
location ID 25) in the destination IPv6 address accord with those
of the own IPv6 address, it is recognized as the IPv6 packet to be
transmitted to itself (T4). Subsequently, a control process defined
by the function ID 16 contained in the IPv6 packet is performed
(T5).
[0125] Specifically, for example, when the camera 8 is fanned
"rightward by 10.degree.", the function ID 16 is an ID indicating
"motion control" of the camera. Actually, the motion of the
"rightward by 10.degree." is controlled by the Web access protocol
or the like such as the HTTP as the upper-level service, which is
contained in the application data.
[0126] When the display terminal 3 controls the camera 8, the
source IPv6 address contained in the IPv6 packet transmitted from
the display terminal 3 to the camera 8 is the IPv6 address of the
display terminal 3, and the destination IPv6 address is the IPv6
address of the camera 8. The controlling of the camera 8 is
performed by the Web access protocol such as the HTTP, which is the
upper-level service contained in the IPv6 packet, and the
management ID 14, the location ID 25, and the function ID 16
assigned in the interface ID 12 of the IPv6 address of the camera
8, which is the destination IPv6 address.
[0127] For example, the function ID 16 is an ID indicating "video
data transmission/reception" for the camera 8, when the display
terminal 3 "demands transmission of image data" of the camera 8.
Actually, the operations of the "demand for the transmission of the
image data" and the "transmitting of the image data" are performed
by the Web access protocol such as the HTTP, which is the
upper-level service, contained in the application data or a
streaming protocol such as RTP.
[0128] Upon control the network device, controlling performed by a
device having no control authority can be excluded by adding the
source IPv6 address of a device performing controlling to the
control condition. In addition, masking may be performed by the
function ID.
[0129] FIGS. 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating examples of bit
arrangement of the interface ID upon performing the masking by the
function ID. In FIG. 13A, the function ID is arranged behind the
location name type. In this case, the masking by the function can
be performed on entire terminals of a specific location name. In
FIG. 13B, the function ID is arranged behind the floor information.
In this case, the masking by the function can be performed on
entire terminals of the specific location name and the floor. In
FIG. 13C, the function ID is arranged behind the division
information. In this case, the masking by the function can be
performed on entire terminals of the specific location name, the
floor, and the division.
[0130] In this way, in a method of assigning the IPv6 addresses of
the IPv6 network system and the network devices in the second
embodiment, by allowing a bit field composed of the latter 40-bit
interface ID to contain the management ID, the location ID, and the
function ID, it is possible to realize a flexible address assigning
method of explicitly identifying the network devices by the
installed place used as a device management system, while ensuring
the unique interface ID of the IPv6 address. In this way, like the
first embodiment, it is possible to identify the devices using the
IPv6 addresses without employing a database server. Accordingly, a
communication protocol can be simplified since a sequence for
transmitting and receiving information to and from the database
server is not necessary in an application layer.
[0131] It is possible to construct the VPN environment using the
IPsec and thus improve network security, since the access to the
network devices can be controlled using the location name type, the
location information, the device number, or the function ID.
[0132] The bit number, the bit arrangement, and the bit location in
the management ID 14, the location ID 25, the function ID 16, the
location name type 27, the location information 28, and the device
number 29 shown in FIG. 7 are just an example, and thus optimized
on the basis of the size of a network, a system, a location name,
or the like, as long as the interface ID is not overlapped in all
the network devices. For example, when the VPN environment is
constructed using the IPsec in all devices having the same function
ID 16, the function ID 16 may be located ahead of the location ID
25.
Third Embodiment
[0133] In an IPv6 network system according to a third embodiment,
both the IPv6 address according to the first embodiment and the
IPv6 address according to the second embodiment are assigned to one
network device. Since the configuration of the IPv6 network system
is the same as that in the first embodiment, the same reference
numerals are given and the description is omitted.
[0134] In the third embodiment, it is possible to simultaneously
perform different control processes by distinguishing and using the
IPv6 addresses by the network device performing control or a
control function, when the two IPv6 addresses having the
above-described different structures are assigned to one network
device.
[0135] Here, operations of the IPv6 network system according to the
third embodiment will be described. For example, the control
terminal 2 controls the camera 8 using the IPv6 containing the
device ID described in the first embodiment and the display
terminal 3 controls the camera 8 using the IPv6 address containing
the location ID described in the second embodiment.
[0136] When the control terminal 2 controls the camera 8, the
source IPv6 address contained in the IPv6 packet transmitted from
the control terminal 2 to the camera 8 is an IPv6 address of the
control terminal 2 and the destination IPv6 address is an IPv6
address of the camera 8. The controlling of the camera 8 is
performed by a Web access protocol such as HTTP, which is an
upper-level service contained in the IPv6 packet, and the
management ID 14, the device ID 15, and the function ID 16 assigned
in the interface ID 12 of the IPv6 address of the camera 8, which
is the destination IPv6 address.
[0137] As a specific example of the device ID 15, when it is known
in advance that the device type 17 of the camera 8 is a video
camera (network camera), the product type 18 is
.largecircle..largecircle..largecircle. (specific product number),
and the product serial number 19 is the number 1, the control
terminal 2 specifies the camera 8 using the information of "the
number 1 of a video camera
.largecircle..largecircle..largecircle.".
[0138] As a specific example of the function ID 16, when the camera
8 is fanned "rightward by 10.degree.", the function ID 16 is an ID
indicating "motion control" of the camera. Actually, the motion of
the "rightward by 10.degree." is controlled by the Web access
protocol or the like such as the HTTP as the upper-level service,
which is contained in the application data.
[0139] When the display terminal 3 controls the camera 8, the
source IPv6 address contained in the IPv6 packet transmitted from
the display terminal 3 to the camera 8 is the IPv6 address of the
display terminal 3, and the destination IPv6 address is the IPv6
address of the camera 8. The controlling of the camera 8 is
performed by the Web access protocol such as the HTTP, which is the
upper-level service contained in the IPv6 packet, and the
management ID 14, the location ID 25, and the function ID 16
assigned in the interface ID 12 of the IPv6 address of the camera
8, which is the destination IPv6 address.
[0140] As a specific example of the location ID 25, when it is
known in advance that the location name type 27 of the camera 8 is
"the .quadrature..quadrature. building", the location information
is the x division (where x is information of coordinates indicating
a location) of the A floor, and the device number is 1, the display
terminal 3 specifies the camera 8 using the information of "the
number 1 camera located in the x division on the A floor of the
.quadrature..quadrature. building".
[0141] As a specific example of the function ID 16, the function ID
16 is an ID indicating "video data transmission/reception" for the
camera 8, when the display terminal 3 "demands transmission of
image data" of the camera 8. Actually, the operations of the
"demand for the transmission of the image data" and the
"transmitting of the image data" are performed by the Web access
protocol such as the HTTP, which is the upper-level service,
contained in the application data or a streaming protocol such as
RTP.
[0142] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a concept at the time of
network communication using the IPv6 address according to the third
embodiment. Here, the control terminal 2 controls the camera 8
using the IPv6 containing the device ID described in the first
embodiment and the display terminal 3 controls the camera 8 using
the IPv6 address containing the location ID described in the second
embodiment.
[0143] The network devices such as the control terminal 2, the
camera 8, and the display terminal 3 connected to each other
through the network 6 include address maintenance units 31, 32, and
33 maintaining the IPv6 addresses set and assigned to the
respective devices, respectively. The address maintenance unit 31
of the control terminal 2 keeps and maintains an IPv6 address 41
containing the device ID of the own terminal and an IPv6 address 61
containing the device ID of the own terminal. The address
maintenance unit 32 of the camera 8 keeps and maintains an IPv6
address 42 containing the device ID of the own terminal and an IPv6
address 62 containing the device ID of the own terminal. The
address maintenance unit 33 of the display terminal 3 keeps and
maintains an IPv6 address 43 containing the device ID of the own
terminal and an IPv6 address 63 containing the device ID of the own
terminal.
[0144] When control terminal 2 controls the camera 8, communication
is carried out using the IPv6 addresses 41, 42, and 43 containing
the respective device type information. In this case, a control
unit of the control terminal 2 creates and transmits an IPv6 packet
51 containing address information which includes the IPv6 address
41 of the control terminal 2 as a source (control device) and the
IPv6 address 42 of the camera 8 as a destination (controlled
device) and control information. The IPv6 packet 51 is transmitted
to the camera 8 through a communication path on the network 6. A
control unit of the camera 8 analyzes the received IPv6 packet 51
and recognizes that the IPv6 packet is a packet for the own
terminal by the address information of the IPv6 addresses 41 and 42
to perform controlling the own terminal on the basis of the control
information.
[0145] When display terminal 3 controls the camera 8, communication
is carried out using the IPv6 addresses 61, 62, and 63 containing
the respective device type information. In this case, a control
unit of the display terminal 3 creates and transmits an IPv6 packet
52 containing address information which includes the IPv6 address
63 of the display terminal 3 as a source (control device) and the.
IPv6 address 62 of the camera 8 as a destination (controlled
device) and control information. The IPv6 packet 52 is transmitted
to the camera 8 through a communication path on the network 6. A
control unit of the camera 8 analyzes the received IPv6 packet 52
and recognizes that the IPv6 packet is a packet for the own
terminal transmitted from the display terminal 3 by the address
information of the IPv6 addresses 62 and 63 to perform controlling
the own terminal on the basis of the control information.
[0146] In this way, in a method of assigning the IPv6 addresses of
the IPv6 network system and the network devices in the third
embodiment, by assigning both the IPv6 address containing the
management ID, the device ID, and the function ID and the IPv6
address containing the management ID the location ID, and the
function ID in a bit field composed of the latter 40-bit interface
ID to one network device, it is possible to perform optimum control
of the network device, since the plurality of IPv6 addresses can be
individually used in accordance with a circumstance of the network
side performing the controlling.
[0147] The access can be controlled by the device type, the product
type, the product serial number, or the function ID, when the IPv6
address containing the management ID, the device ID, and the
function ID is used. Likewise, the access can be controlled by the
location name type, the location information, the device number, or
the function ID, when the IPv6 address containing the management
ID, the location ID, and the function ID is used. Accordingly, it
is possible to construct the VPN environment using the IPsec and
thus improve network security.
[0148] The bit number, the bit arrangement, and the bit location in
the management ID, the device ID, the function ID, the device type,
the product type, and the product serial number are just an
example. Likewise, the bit number, the bit arrangement, and the bit
location in the management ID, the location ID, the function ID,
the location name type, the location information, and the device
number are just an example. Accordingly, the bit number, the bit
arrangement, and the bit location are optimized on the basis of the
size of a network, a system, a device, a location name or the like,
as long as the interface ID is not overlapped in all the network
devices.
[0149] The invention is not-limited to the above-described
embodiments, but may be modified into various forms.
[0150] In the above-described embodiments, for example, there are
described the case of managing the device system using the device
type information as the management system type and the case of
managing the device system using the installed place information
(location information). However, the invention is not limited to
these management systems, but the device system may be managed sing
time information or the like.
[0151] In the above-described embodiments, a management device
which manages the network devices using the IPv6 addressed assigned
to the network devices may be connected to a network, and thus it
is possible to carry out flexible management of the network devices
by the management ID of the IPv6 addresses.
[0152] The invention has been described with reference to the
detailed and specific embodiments, but it should be understood that
various modifications or amendments can be made without departing
the spirit and scope of the invention to a person skilled in the
art.
[0153] Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application (Patent
Application No. 2006-109701), filed on Apr. 12, 2006, the contents
of which are incorporated herein by reference.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0154] According to the invention, it is possible to obtain an
advantage of explicitly identifying network devices without
providing a database server having an IPv6 address and an advantage
of constructing a high secure network since the network devices as
an access target can be managed on the basis of a management system
of the network device such as a device type, a function, and a
location. Moreover, it is useful for a network device and a network
system connected to a network using the IPv6 addresses, an IPv6
address assigning method, and a network device managing method.
* * * * *